Commanders and Generalsby PLMROTOKChaptersWelcome back commander...The CouncilAwaiting For An Important MeetingThe Dark Line of StringWelcome back commander... Diary entry 1.1 "Cold, its very cold." My name is commander Cold Throne. I am in charge of the twenty second battalion of the EUP regiment of Ponyville. A ~~dead~~ quiet but ~~war torn~~ humble and ~~abandoned~~ peaceful town, filled with cheers and waves of ~~chaos~~ kindness and ~~dis~~harmony until that day when ~~Equestria~~ everything changed. End of Diary entry 1.1 Battle of Ponyville: Operation Blitz Ridge Day 1: 4:30pm It was another day in the trench. Wet. Soggy. Grey and miserable. Hell of a place to look at. But sadly this is war so in the eyes of the Equestria or of the world it know becomes morally acceptable to live fight and die in this shithole. I looked sternly at the clouds as if waiting from them to retreat or burst in flames to let the sunshine out, to give hope. But they didn't flinch not one bit. I retuned to my quarters which for a commander in the field made your quarters look like royalty compared to every other soldiers place to rest. I wonder what higher ranks must have but then again, it is limiting. The space. The air. The peace. peace. That word floated through my mind like sand in the wind, a tear ran down my left check as I trembled and started to remembered the life, the life I once had. Were I once had family. Friends and now I'm here in a war, a war of different Beliefs. Ideologies. culture. Religion all that nonsense. My head stared to burn as I walked to my bed which was covered in a common combination of dust. Lint and mud. "All treated like royalty in this fucking place." I muttered to myself as I sat down, slowly waiting for the ferocious vibration of artillery guns to reach the centre of the trench. I laid there half dead on the side of the bed, I laid there with nothing to do no orders to give no reports to send no battles to see. I looked at the sealing thinking just thinking and checked my diary for any recent events that would give me courage but all I found was death. Death. Death. I then closed my eyes and went to sleep. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "Commander. Commander can you hear me!", I woke up in an instant all accustomed to the sound of familiar screaming. "Commander we need you here asap!" I gave the floor a glace that was only reserved for annoyance and disbelief. I trembled and trotted out of my quarters to the tune pace of shell fire as if I was dancing. I gritted my teeth, "What and Why!" I scream infuriated by the rude interruption. "ITS AN ATTACK!" Screamed another voice, I galloped to the front of the trench panting in terror hoping it wasn't true, but to my dismay it was, as the sound of pounding dirt laid waste to the land in front. "There tyring to break the line." I thought to myself looking around the trench, I then frantically brought up my binoculars and saw the disfigured shapes of ponies, levitating rifles and simultaneously firing. The ponies were a couple miles away so the bullets didn't hit or travel far and they would take some time to get there by hoof, especially in the wet soggy mud they call terrain, but however they did seem determined acting as ferociously as brute dragons as efficiently as griffons and as stealthy as zebras. My ears peaked. "This is it." I whispered to no pony in particular, but as I looked around ready to give orders no pony was armed, equipped or ready for that matter, they were all still asleep or day dreaming. I stood there looking towards the ground with a similar stare. "How dare they. This isn't a joke. This isn't a drill!" I shouted to myself gritting my teeth, a few ponies turned to face me but the others paid no attention. My face turned red to the point of bursting, I stomped the ground and shouted to the top of my lungs, so loud that not even shells of artillery couldn't silence me. READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "LISTEN UP YOU CUNTS...WE... ARE... UNDER... ATTACK..." I shouted firmly as rifles around me started to click in a pattern. A firm but comfortable breeze caught my throat as I was able to retake air without a pause. READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "THATS RIGHT...TODAY IS THE BIG DAY..." Some ponies sarcastically cheered as others rolled there sleepy eyes in a dull like fashion. READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "NOW I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN SOME SHITHOLE JUST BEACUSE MY TROOPS WERE LAZY... WOULDN'T YOU ALL ARGEE..." I drew the attention of most my soldiers, they all gathered up armed and ready and continued to looked at each other some horrified by the thought, others laughed. Others cried. Others just glared. I took one deep breath and stood my ground, I stared like a statue into there souls and began again, this time with an evil smirk on my face that even I at the time didn't realize I had, or that I just didn't notice. "NOW THEN. IF I DONT SEE EVRYPONY ON THAT LINE BATTLE READY. I WILL SHOVE THAT RIFLE SO FAR UP YOUR ASS. I WILL MAKE YOU A FUCKING HORN OR REPLACE ONE TOO!" My troops gulped in a cartoonish fashion in an effort to try to get rid of the thought, the group of unicorns took the threat the worst as they quivered and stood back holding one hoof to there horns. I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of such terror."War does that to you." I thought to myself. "One day you think its impossible and the next day its achievable just like..." I quickly cut of the thought as my lieutenant pointed in the direction of the attack, the screams came closely as the guns of war drew near. I levitated my pistol out of my satchel and aimed at the incoming wave of ponies, I heard the mumble of regrets and the sound of laughter and panic as the first few ponies opened fire and let out a barrage of flashing light from the end of there barrel. I looked in horror as the guns hit there targets, one by one the attacking ponies fell but kept charging. "They had to." I thought "It was there only chance of survival. No turning back. No regrets. It was and is there only orders. There only duty and as we are taught." A grin appeared on my lips "Good soldiers follow orders..." I then levitated my gun. Readied. Aimed and fired. A voice floated in my head as I heard the words. "Welcome back commander." Author's Note Before questions: I would like to say that this is my first time writing a fanfic, so please go easy on the harsh negatively that I may or may not receive, although comments would be much appreciated. Also characters, choice of tags and even the title of the fic will be shown in later chapters, this was merely an intro to the fic everything will be explained in later chapters. Thank you for reading and have a good day. The Council Canterlot. The capital... Were leaders meet. Were armies seek. Were politics thrives and were ponies die, but all is the same, cause you can't run and hide... Two weeks before the battle of Ponyville: Day 1 6:30pm "NO! NO! NO!" Screamed Rainbow Dash as she continuously slammed her hoofs on the circular table in which herself and her friends had met to discus matters of grave importance, this matter however was one Rainbow Dash refused to accept. "NO! NO! NO! I cant believe it. I wont believe. They're lying all of them. This can't be happing. This isn't happing!" She screeched towards her friends who had sat there in dead silence with patched red eyes which had once been conquered and occupied by tears of horror and disbelief. "NO JUST. NO!" She cracked as her voice broke and as she suddenly started to pant heavily, accompanied by uncontrollable tears of loss anger and hatred. Again her friend Rarity who was to the left of her hugged her softly, trying to comfort the hurt and lost Pegasus, but it was no use. Rainbow shoved Rarity back as she stretched her wing and swiped the soggy pieces of paper which had once been reports of an attack to the ground. Her friends, worried that she might strike out onto one of them, rapidly thought of ways to clam her down, but there was no need as the rainbow coloured Pegasus then sat completely still in eyrie silence, with no flinching. No movement. As if the emotions of the reports had drained her soul. Rainbow Dash continued to sit still a hollow shadow of her former self, her eyes looked at the ground in dismay as she continued to weep softly as Fluttershy was, she then closed her eyes and whispered "why there, anywhere but there." She let out one final sigh and said nothing more. Her friends looked around, trying to think of a way to comfort the situation, but it was no use, the facts were and were confirmed they had hit Cloudsdale. Cloudsdale... The city of clouds and Rainbows. The main capital of the pegasi and Equestria's weather and only accessible by pegasi. Or so we thought... The city is completely made of clouds, so its marvellous and soft like structures should be an easy target. The pegasi are fierce warriors do not underestimate there flight. Speed or agility and never underestimate there honour this will be a fight or a flight to the death. Hours passed, nopony wanted to break the stability of the situation, Twilight who was opposite pinkie pie who was to the left of Rainbow Dash was Bering most of the tension, the tension filled the air as if it was a poisonous gas it was unbearable. To learn that the former home of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, being suddenly invaded by a former close friend of Rainbow Dash was heart breaking. Nopony had words for the emotions in the council room, especially for the two pegasi. Another hour passed, nopony had still said anything Rainbow Dash had stopped crying, not because she was better, but because she had ran out of tears and still stayed in her tense potion. Fluttershy on the over hoof, had an unlimited amount of tears and continued to sob out loud into Applejacks chest. Twilight had to do something. Anything. To try and make things better, even though Rainbow Dash was on the brink of rage or sanity, she had to act. Finally with extreme courage and choosing her words very carefully she spoke up. "Rainbow I'm-" Twilight paused. Wondering if her long time and close friend would look at her, to try to get some sort of response out of the Pegasus, she did not. Worried Twilight gulped and slowly continued. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash but its true, they hit Cloudsdale, I could only ima-" Twilight's voice cut off, she tried to speak but she couldn't, the situation was to tragic. She could never imaging the feelings of what Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could be going through. She tried again to finish her sentence, but her mouth wouldn't produce words. Twilight started to shake, Pinkie Pie who had noticed Twilight's sudden cut off in her speech, knew how serious the situation was. Quickly. She took a deep breath started to speak in Twilight's place. "They will hold Dashie, all of the guards and even the Wonderbolts have been sent there, they will hold those evil griffons off right. right?" Pinkie cut off, realizing what she had just said. "There just silly griffons, the pegasi will hold right?" She thought to herself. "I'm afraid not pinkie" Rarity chipped in bluntly, as if she had just scanned the pink ponies current thought. Rarity continued. "It did not look like a simple attack darling, to me it looked like a-" Rarity quivered, reminding herself that Rainbow Dash was right in the middle of there conversation. "Dare I say it looked like an-" "Invasion." Rainbow finished, Rarity's eyes widened in horror as Rainbow Dash herself would even suggest such a thing, even more so about the place she grew up in. Rainbow groaned in a tired. Hurt and depressed voice. Still scarred by the news, she looked around to see most of her friends scared but relived that she was back and able to speak about the report, without her being in a uncontrollable rage and misery state. Out of all of them, Twilight was the most relived, taking a long relaxing sigh as she knew the eyrie silence that Rainbow Dash had amplified was gone. "for now at least." She thought to herself. "Its Gilda!" Rainbow Growled. "She wants to send a strong message to all ponies that the griffons rule the sky, not us pegasi!" She paused thinking back to the report. "And that's why she attacked Clou-!" Rainbow closed her eyes as tightly as she could, her friends prayed that she would not go back to her tense angered state. To there relief she calmed down and accepted the truth of what had happened, finally whispered "she attacked Cloudsdale" Rarity who was the only one close enough to hear the whisper started to tear up. "How could they do such a barbaric thing!" She thought in anger. Rarity then rose up and slammed her own hoof on the table, which coming for Rarity was very un lady like and very surprising, she then let out a shout that nopony expected. "THOSE BEASTS! THOSE FLYING BEASTS! WE SHALL MAKE THEM PAY! MAKE THEM RUE THE DAY! THE DAY THAT! That! That..." Rarity's voice slowly lowered as she looked around, her friends filled with surprised horror and shock. Rarity who had just noticed herself, apologised for the display and sat back down. "I'm. I'm just so stressed" She moaned. "This war has had a huge impact on all of us." Her friends agreed and slowly nodded, Rarity then slowly turned towards back to Rainbow Dash. "Especially on you Rainbow Dash." She then turned towards Fluttershy who had stopped crying. "And you Fluttershy we are all hear for you." Twilight and Applejack both nodded simultaneously, Fluttershy smiled and hugged Twilight and Applejack who were both to the left and right of her. The tension from the room was slowly changing but not for long, Rainbow Dash spoke up continuing the situation in Cloudsdale, to her and her friends that was the biggest priority. Concern. Fear and loss. Thinking back on why Gilda would have chosen Cloudsdale as a target. Rainbow said. "She is also repaying me for past favours of mine." She smirked as she started to remember the time when she had abandoned Gilda for her friends at pinkie pies party. She laughed sinisterly at the thought her friend, worrying that she might snap there and then, she stopped thinking about Gilda and tried to think of something else. Twilight wore a worried concerned look remembering the past conversation, but thankfully the satanic smile was now gone, replaced with horror as Rainbow dash reminded herself about the situation in Ponyville. "How's Ponyville." Rainbow said as calmly as she could, but her friends could hear the stress in her voice. "Well how is it!" Razing her voice, demanding an answer from Twilight. "its Holding." Twilight responded as calmly as she could, reassuring Rainbow Dash that nothing was going to go wrong. "It hasn't been attacked in weeks." Applejack who had been unusually quiet remand scarred by the thought as well as Fluttershy who had been quietly weeping in Applejacks chest in the past conversation. Twilight felt sorry for Rainbow Dash, the stress of Cloudsdale had taken its toll on her she was more paranoid than Pinkie and Fluttershy and rightly so. Twilight was always horrified at knowing that there was a problem that she and her friends couldn't fix, Cloudsdale was no exception. She turned to Rainbow Dash who was still thinking about all of the lives lost at Cloudsdale and how she couldn't do anything to stop it. That one thought made her sob loudly once more, her friends watching as they saw one of there best friends break in front of them. "Ill find a way." Twilight said to Rainbow, her own tears swelling in her eyes. "We all will." The rest of her friends nodded but they had forgotten that this was a war, a war in which that there was nothing they could do until now. A royal guard with unusually large amount of armoured plating, opened the door to the council room and addressed the ponies sitting in front of him and politely bowed. The main six nodded in polite respect as the royal guard rose up and spoke. "Princess Celestia would like to see you outside immediately." The royal guard said in a royal Canterlot fashion. The main six nodded again and instantly got up and trotted towards the door where the princess was waiting for them. The rain covered the princesses face and her voice. "We found it." She sighed in relief, the rain covering the object she was holding. "We found it." Author's Note WOW This was hard. As I said I'm not that good at writing or typing (for that matter) fanfics in general, this is my first one so again please go easy. But as always comments will be much appreciated. Thank you for reading and have a good day everypony. Awaiting For An Important Meeting"Do not ignore the past my little pony for it is the gateway to our future... The elements may now be lost to history but in the prime they were but hoof steps away to condemning Equestria to that same... Edenic fate... There is much we can learn here... Pray that you realize it..." Two weeks before the battle of Ponyville: Day 2 10:00am It was dark. Cold and wet morning in what seemed to be the war torn land of Equestria. No further reports had come from Cloudsdale ever since the griffon invasion. The last council meeting, which had spawned a dark and deathly silence, caused by the sheer panic. Anger and the descent of hopelessness. Had left a eerie mark on the council room doors, which now stood unknowingly still to the confines of the royal castle. Rainbow Dash, who was still scared by the tragic losses of her former home and friends, flew over to Canterlot by orders of the princesses. In her mind there was no doubt that the meeting would return to the subject of Cloudsdale, reigniting the fires of past conversations of what is now known throughout Equestria and especially it's military as the Cloudsdale incident. Rainbow Dash shuddered at the thought but continued to fly straight and at top neck speed towards the royal palace, were she new her friends and the princesses would be waiting for her imminent arrival. Rainbow Dash instantly swooped down, arriving straight at the golden palace doors leading directly to the princesses thrown room. She took a deep breath and stood at attention, awaiting for a warm but serious greeting from the two princesses. Unaware to the young mare however, the glistening palace doors were closed. Shut down and locked tight, as was all of the rest of the palace during wartime, for security reasons. "Strange." Rainbow Dash thought. Considering to herself silently that the doors would have been be open, if it was indeed an invitation sent to herself and possibly even her friends to see the royal sisters for an important meeting. Nevertheless Rainbow Dash sat down patiently, head high and awaited for the doors to open. She glazed at the dark tainted clouds above, reminding herself of all the memories as a filly in Cloudsdale. She gave a sad smile as she began to tear up, not noticing her friends had just arrived before she did and were right by her side. Twilight and Fluttershy who had trotted up to Rainbow Dash first, sat next to her, simultaneously hugging the Pegasus tightly but warmly, trying to assure her as much comfort as possible. Fluttershy hugged Rainbow Dash the most, knowing full well just what the mare and herself was going through. They as life long pegasi friends, had grown up in the cloud city together and therefore had both lost one of the most important places in Equestria to them... There former home... Twilight who started to notice a slight negative response from Rainbow Dash, quickly let go of the embrace and stood aback as Fluttershy followed suit. Rarity. Pinkie and Applejack stayed respectively quiet as the emotional moment played out in front of them. Then suddenly, Twilight as she had done previously in the council room spoke to Rainbow Dash first, with the same sort of worry and uncertainty as the day before. "Rainbow." Twilight said. Trying but failing automatically to make the Rainbow coloured Pegasus look or feel any better than in her current state. Twilight sighed and breathed inwards, realizing that her new objective while awaiting for the princesses prompt arrival, was to make Rainbow Dash look at her, even for a second. Rather than the clouds above reminding her and herself time and time again of the Cloudsdale incident. "Rainbow." Twilight repeated. This time trying to sound more positive and upbeat in her voice, Rainbow Dash turned as her head slowly, rotating it towards Twilight's direction. She faced the light purple mare dead center, continuously staring right into Twilight's eyes as if she was a confirmed target ready for the kill. Twilight who had once had the simile of success in getting a response from Rainbow Dash, now felt heart broken. Her smile was gone, replaced with sadness and deprivation as the eyes of what was left her best friend staggered in place. The vanish red tinted eyes of Rainbow Dash, which Twilight concluded had been from lack of sleep and stress, continued to stare sharply and patiently awaiting another response or action from Twilight. After a few seconds in deep thought, Twilight began to sob in quick but controlled bursts, as if trying to tame the emotion she felt inside of her. She then quickly pulled herself together, buying herself only a few more seconds before her emotions got the better of her. The rest of her friends sat back, not wanting to do any action that may interfere with the scene at hoof. Twilight looked down then back up, redirecting herself to Rainbow Dash, who was still looking directly at Twilight. Twilight couldn't withstand the hurtful emotions for long, her face begged and pleaded at Rainbow Dash. Praying that she would stop even for a second, to try feel better about things as she tried in one last attempt, before she lost her emotional stability. Twilight groaned out a last call to Rainbow Dash's name, in a ditch attempt to save her and herself from an emotional downfall. "Rainbow." She whimpered as her voice began to crack and break, as she then broke and began to tear up once more. She couldn't take in the emotion of seeing one of her friends she cared for the most, break in front of her any longer, it wasn't bearable. Twilight galloped towards Rarity, who was in the closest in vicinity to her, and sobbed weekly into her coat. Rarity said nothing, allowing Twilight to cry uncontrollably into her chest, as she then embraced the mare and hugged her tightly, trying to smooth the pain she felt inside of her. It had been thirty minutes and still nothing. The golden doors of the thrown room doors were still shut and locked, with no indication of movement from inside the palace. Everypony had since calmed down but had said nothing in the process, Rainbow Dash who was still the most critically unstable of the group, now just sat still, being a few feet away from the group with her eyes closed. She faced the palace doors, trying not to think about Cloudsdale incident, and instead thought of other things that would potentially cheer up the poor and hurt pony. Twilight who had stopped sobbing and regained her composure, began to ponder out loud. "The princesses have never been this late to a meeting before, I wonder if they are alright-" "Nonsense darling." Rarity chipped in. "I say that they are quite all right dear, this is the royal palace after all." Rarity finished, with her undying certainty. "But what if-" Twilight questioned, but then pondered for another moment. "They are quite all right dear, I assure you. No harm would come to them, not in the royal palace of all places." Twilight smiled towards Rarity and nodded, felling reassured that the princesses were just having a busy day, or who had much more important things to worry about than the meeting. Applejack who hadn't said a word since the day before, rolled her eyes and stood up pointing directly at Twilight. "Yall know that this is war, right." Rainbow dash squinted, not wanting to think about it as Applejack continued, raising her voice in anger. "Heck the princesses and probably even princess Celestia herself don't even have time for us, with a war on her hooves and all!" Everyone glared towards Twilight, expecting that she would be the one to retaliate first and knowing full well her connections to the princesses as that she was one herself. "That's. Not. True. AJ." Twilight responded, in a negative tone. Realising her tone of voice. She then quickly spoke again, before the wrong implication of her tone took its hold on the orange mare. "She wouldn't call a meeting, an important one nonetheless if she didn't care or have time for us, even though there is a war at hoof." Applejack looked ashamed, and stood aback as Twilight continued. "We are all her most faithful subjects, I am the princess of friendship and the element of magic. You are the element of honesty. Rarity, generosity. Fluttershy, kindness. Rainbow Dash, loyalty. And Pinkie Pie, laughter. Together and with the power of friendship, we can overcome anything, and not just us but everypony around us. In Ponyville. In Canterlot. In Manehattan. In-" Twilight stopped, reminding herself not to mention Cloudsdale, knowing the distress it would cause towards Rainbow Dash. She snapped out of the thought and quickly continued. "-In Equestria, We are all her most faithful subjects. Big or small, strong or weak. She cares for us more than we all know and even though we are at war, she will find a way to spare time for us all, no matter what." Applejack's ears lowered, as she then began to lower her head in shame. "I'm sorry Twi." She whispered. Twilight sympathizing with Applejack, as she knew how it felt to have and older brother in the war, trotted up to her and put her hoof on her shoulder. "Its ok." Twilight responded. "We all have gone through some rough times, and so have the princesses, but that doesn't mean they don't care for us AJ." Applejack smiled and nodded. Twilight then trotted up to Rainbow Dash who was still sitting silently alone, eyes closed and silently breathing. Twilight nuzzled Rainbow Dash to get her attention, Rainbow Dash, shocked at the action quickly blushed and opened her eyes as Twilight embraced her. "Everything is going to be fine Rainbow Dash." Twilight said brushing the rainbow coloured mane, as she embraced the broken mare. One last lonely tear ran down Twilight's cheeks. "Everything is going to be fine." Then as if by sheer coincidence, the golden glistening palace doors slowly opened, letting out the trapped hot air from inside the palace, as the two alicorns stepped outside escorted by several guards. One alicorn, with a bright white coat and a unique rainbow aura mane. The other alicorn, with a dark blue coat and dark sapphire blue aura mane. The main six knew exactly who they were an immediately bowed down, princess Celestia spoke first in her usual clam majestic voice. "Rise my little ponies, please come in, we have much to discus." She glazed at Rainbow Dash and gave her a royal winged saluted, as so did princess Luna. Rainbow Dash taken aback but grateful for the respect, saluted back towards the princesses as they all enter the thrown room. everypony entered as Rainbow trotted beside Celestia "Much to discus." Celestia whispered, only allowing Rainbow Dash to hear her words, as the doors behind them then shut and the talks began, the talks which would change the war forever. "The Pegasi... They have demonstrated a great deal of speed and agility in there combat... And... With there unmatched tactics. And unique strategy... They have proven to Equestria since time immemorial that they are the most militaristic of ponies... Strong. Determined. Feared. And most notably... Loyal... They are none more fierce and more brave facing towards the bitter end of there demise... No matter what faces them... The Pegasi have always been the first to protect Equestria... To take up arms in its defence... But now since Cloudsdale... I wonder if I can rely on one such pony again... To help us in our time of need... The answer... Of course I can... She is the most loyal... After all... And she will do what I command and what she commands of them to do..." Author's Note Forget what I said. THIS! Is probably the most hardest chapter, and is probably the most longest chapter I have ever typed. But to me, and I hope to you as well it was all worth it. Also if there are any errors, be assured that I will fix them as soon as they are noticed. The second chapter, will continue the meeting as I would like to explore more of what happened before the battle of Ponyville, but in is not set in stone comments and feedback may change my opinion on what I should do, but anyway for now that is the plan. But as always, I will take back any feedback given and it is always appreciated. Also feel free to comment and i'll be sure to reply to them however best I can. Thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoyed and I hope to see you all in the comment section soon. Have a good day everypony. The Dark Line of String What is war... Well its like a game... A game of chess. In which one pony tries to out smart the other... Is it a game of intelligence. Strategy and tactics... Or just brute force. Strength and luck... But... What if... In this world of chess. There were only Two Kings and Two Queens, but neither of them moved or attacked from there tile. Instead... They just waited in a cold. Dark. Prolonged stalemate, that could have lasted years or centuries. Until one side struck first and said that she wanted the Queens... Out of the game... Battle of Ponyville: Operation Blitz Ridge Day 1: 5:30pm "HOLD THE LINE!" I yelled as the dark shadowed ponies race towards the trench. My troops who had already clicked and put there rifles in potion, stood in silence waiting for my command. They glared in disgust towards the incoming wave of attacking ponies, as if staring into a soul of a disease. "HOLD!", "HOLD!", "STEADY!" looking back an fourth as my troops took aim, fixated on the ponies in front. I squinted trying to get a visual conformation on the invading force, suddenly as if by chance, the could curtain above broke, letting out the suns glorious royal glow. My troops cheered as they knew that the pegasi had removed the curtain for us, making spotting targets on the ground much easier and more deadly. I smiled then turned my attention back at the wave of dark shadowed ponies, the suns light had finally allowed me to confirm the targets, so that I could give my troops the go ahead to fire. I recognised the dark shadowed ponies in front of me, charging towards the trench line at the speed of night. At first I couldn't comprehend the situation, then I couldn't understand it. "Why would princess Luna's troops be attacking us if were in a alli-" I looked up one last time and then froze, realizing the situation me and my troops were in and who was attacking the line. The line that leads straight to Ponyville and then straight to Canterlot. The capital... I couldn't move or speak as if a magical grip squeezed my throat. I started to shake furiously and continued to tremble in front of my troops, who looked at me confused and terrified. "No. No. No. They cant be. I mean we- the princess- no!" I took in quick heavy breaths of dust filled air as I tired to calm and compose myself. But I couldn't as my body in its current state, refused my commands and instead acted on its own accord. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "Sir we need orders!" Called a soldier who had spotted the first enemy in range of his rifle for the kill. "Commander" Called another voice, this time it was mare. I didn't respond, still frozen in my possession. The images of Nightmare Moon flashed in front of my eyes as I remembered the horrific stories of the past. "No. No. No. Stop it!" I shut my eyes, for what my eyes saw I couldn't believe not in a life time. The ponies, now with identifiable. Visible fangs and armed weapons drew closer, this time with shots of gun fire and the familiar pounding of invaluable artillery guns. My lieutenant. Panicking, shook me with all of her might, trying to get me out of my shocked state. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "Commander! Commander! Snap out of it! We need you!" I responded and reopened my eyes, continuing to just stare out in the distance as the bat ponies with familiar dark blue and purple armour, armed with visible spears and rifles came closer and closer. "Commander! Commander we need your orders NOW!" I then looked back up to the attacking force and saw the emblem of Nightmare Moon's striking eye on the bat ponies dark purple and chromed chest plates. It stared into my soul as I looked back at with the same unblinking devotion as if it were a contest. Finally I whispered. "Fire... everything..." "What." My lieutenant respond. in a concerned voice, still worried about my previous sate of shock. "FIRE EVRTHING! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!" I shouted. Screamed and yelled all in one mixture. My lieutenant who was not prepared, jumped at the combined sound of screaming. Gunfire. Cannons and mortars, which was to much for the poor mare to bear. She shook and galloped to the rotten wood wall and covered her ears as the repeating sounds of war boomed like drums. Then without hesitation. I ran to her yelling up-close. "listen!", "We must warn the princesses-I mean princess Celestia about the attack!", "Send a letter to her we shall have you covered!" The mare just curled up in a state of shock and horror realising the situation and the mission that she had to carry out. I grabbed her by the hoof and whispered to her as calmly as I could. "listen, you were they for me, I'll be there for you, me and my troops will protect you. I promise you lieutenant-" "Scootaloo." The mare finished off. "My name Scootaloo sir." I nodded and smiled as the screams of gunfire grew louder and louder. "Ok Scootaloo, I will cover you as you fly back to Canterlot, know that princess and the council must be warned about this situation." She nodded firmly and galloped back to Ponyville as I then turned back to the line and levitated my pistol firing three successive rounds, accompanied by suppression, each of them killing or wounding a bat pony in front, who fell to the ground in an instant action of movement. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. The pounding of shells lifted the bodies of ponies into the air as if they were paper. The trench line shook and screamed as if in pain. The line which had guarded Ponyville. The line which battled for Equestria. The line which battled for the princess and her followers. A line which as now as fragile and as thin as string, which could easily be cut through and broken. I then looked back to my lieutenant who had ran to Ponyville and towards Canterlot I then thought in confusion why wasn't she flying. but I had no time for thinking for as the battle raged on, I remembered why ponies called me the cold commander, a reputation that would endure for as long as I live. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. Author's Note This was tough, but here is chapter 3. The story in its state will jump back to and from the future of the battle, with the main six the princess and commander Cold Throne, hopefully it will turn out good. Hope you all enjoyed, please leave a comment if you want and thank you for reading. Have a good day everypony.
Welcome back commander... Diary entry 1.1 "Cold, its very cold." My name is commander Cold Throne. I am in charge of the twenty second battalion of the EUP regiment of Ponyville. A ~~dead~~ quiet but ~~war torn~~ humble and ~~abandoned~~ peaceful town, filled with cheers and waves of ~~chaos~~ kindness and ~~dis~~harmony until that day when ~~Equestria~~ everything changed. End of Diary entry 1.1 Battle of Ponyville: Operation Blitz Ridge Day 1: 4:30pm It was another day in the trench. Wet. Soggy. Grey and miserable. Hell of a place to look at. But sadly this is war so in the eyes of the Equestria or of the world it know becomes morally acceptable to live fight and die in this shithole. I looked sternly at the clouds as if waiting from them to retreat or burst in flames to let the sunshine out, to give hope. But they didn't flinch not one bit. I retuned to my quarters which for a commander in the field made your quarters look like royalty compared to every other soldiers place to rest. I wonder what higher ranks must have but then again, it is limiting. The space. The air. The peace. peace. That word floated through my mind like sand in the wind, a tear ran down my left check as I trembled and started to remembered the life, the life I once had. Were I once had family. Friends and now I'm here in a war, a war of different Beliefs. Ideologies. culture. Religion all that nonsense. My head stared to burn as I walked to my bed which was covered in a common combination of dust. Lint and mud. "All treated like royalty in this fucking place." I muttered to myself as I sat down, slowly waiting for the ferocious vibration of artillery guns to reach the centre of the trench. I laid there half dead on the side of the bed, I laid there with nothing to do no orders to give no reports to send no battles to see. I looked at the sealing thinking just thinking and checked my diary for any recent events that would give me courage but all I found was death. Death. Death. I then closed my eyes and went to sleep. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "Commander. Commander can you hear me!", I woke up in an instant all accustomed to the sound of familiar screaming. "Commander we need you here asap!" I gave the floor a glace that was only reserved for annoyance and disbelief. I trembled and trotted out of my quarters to the tune pace of shell fire as if I was dancing. I gritted my teeth, "What and Why!" I scream infuriated by the rude interruption. "ITS AN ATTACK!" Screamed another voice, I galloped to the front of the trench panting in terror hoping it wasn't true, but to my dismay it was, as the sound of pounding dirt laid waste to the land in front. "There tyring to break the line." I thought to myself looking around the trench, I then frantically brought up my binoculars and saw the disfigured shapes of ponies, levitating rifles and simultaneously firing. The ponies were a couple miles away so the bullets didn't hit or travel far and they would take some time to get there by hoof, especially in the wet soggy mud they call terrain, but however they did seem determined acting as ferociously as brute dragons as efficiently as griffons and as stealthy as zebras. My ears peaked. "This is it." I whispered to no pony in particular, but as I looked around ready to give orders no pony was armed, equipped or ready for that matter, they were all still asleep or day dreaming. I stood there looking towards the ground with a similar stare. "How dare they. This isn't a joke. This isn't a drill!" I shouted to myself gritting my teeth, a few ponies turned to face me but the others paid no attention. My face turned red to the point of bursting, I stomped the ground and shouted to the top of my lungs, so loud that not even shells of artillery couldn't silence me. READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "LISTEN UP YOU CUNTS...WE... ARE... UNDER... ATTACK..." I shouted firmly as rifles around me started to click in a pattern. A firm but comfortable breeze caught my throat as I was able to retake air without a pause. READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "THATS RIGHT...TODAY IS THE BIG DAY..." Some ponies sarcastically cheered as others rolled there sleepy eyes in a dull like fashion. READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "NOW I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN SOME SHITHOLE JUST BEACUSE MY TROOPS WERE LAZY... WOULDN'T YOU ALL ARGEE..." I drew the attention of most my soldiers, they all gathered up armed and ready and continued to looked at each other some horrified by the thought, others laughed. Others cried. Others just glared. I took one deep breath and stood my ground, I stared like a statue into there souls and began again, this time with an evil smirk on my face that even I at the time didn't realize I had, or that I just didn't notice. "NOW THEN. IF I DONT SEE EVRYPONY ON THAT LINE BATTLE READY. I WILL SHOVE THAT RIFLE SO FAR UP YOUR ASS. I WILL MAKE YOU A FUCKING HORN OR REPLACE ONE TOO!" My troops gulped in a cartoonish fashion in an effort to try to get rid of the thought, the group of unicorns took the threat the worst as they quivered and stood back holding one hoof to there horns. I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of such terror."War does that to you." I thought to myself. "One day you think its impossible and the next day its achievable just like..." I quickly cut of the thought as my lieutenant pointed in the direction of the attack, the screams came closely as the guns of war drew near. I levitated my pistol out of my satchel and aimed at the incoming wave of ponies, I heard the mumble of regrets and the sound of laughter and panic as the first few ponies opened fire and let out a barrage of flashing light from the end of there barrel. I looked in horror as the guns hit there targets, one by one the attacking ponies fell but kept charging. "They had to." I thought "It was there only chance of survival. No turning back. No regrets. It was and is there only orders. There only duty and as we are taught." A grin appeared on my lips "Good soldiers follow orders..." I then levitated my gun. Readied. Aimed and fired. A voice floated in my head as I heard the words. "Welcome back commander." Author's Note Before questions: I would like to say that this is my first time writing a fanfic, so please go easy on the harsh negatively that I may or may not receive, although comments would be much appreciated. Also characters, choice of tags and even the title of the fic will be shown in later chapters, this was merely an intro to the fic everything will be explained in later chapters. Thank you for reading and have a good day.
The Council Canterlot. The capital... Were leaders meet. Were armies seek. Were politics thrives and were ponies die, but all is the same, cause you can't run and hide... Two weeks before the battle of Ponyville: Day 1 6:30pm "NO! NO! NO!" Screamed Rainbow Dash as she continuously slammed her hoofs on the circular table in which herself and her friends had met to discus matters of grave importance, this matter however was one Rainbow Dash refused to accept. "NO! NO! NO! I cant believe it. I wont believe. They're lying all of them. This can't be happing. This isn't happing!" She screeched towards her friends who had sat there in dead silence with patched red eyes which had once been conquered and occupied by tears of horror and disbelief. "NO JUST. NO!" She cracked as her voice broke and as she suddenly started to pant heavily, accompanied by uncontrollable tears of loss anger and hatred. Again her friend Rarity who was to the left of her hugged her softly, trying to comfort the hurt and lost Pegasus, but it was no use. Rainbow shoved Rarity back as she stretched her wing and swiped the soggy pieces of paper which had once been reports of an attack to the ground. Her friends, worried that she might strike out onto one of them, rapidly thought of ways to clam her down, but there was no need as the rainbow coloured Pegasus then sat completely still in eyrie silence, with no flinching. No movement. As if the emotions of the reports had drained her soul. Rainbow Dash continued to sit still a hollow shadow of her former self, her eyes looked at the ground in dismay as she continued to weep softly as Fluttershy was, she then closed her eyes and whispered "why there, anywhere but there." She let out one final sigh and said nothing more. Her friends looked around, trying to think of a way to comfort the situation, but it was no use, the facts were and were confirmed they had hit Cloudsdale. Cloudsdale... The city of clouds and Rainbows. The main capital of the pegasi and Equestria's weather and only accessible by pegasi. Or so we thought... The city is completely made of clouds, so its marvellous and soft like structures should be an easy target. The pegasi are fierce warriors do not underestimate there flight. Speed or agility and never underestimate there honour this will be a fight or a flight to the death. Hours passed, nopony wanted to break the stability of the situation, Twilight who was opposite pinkie pie who was to the left of Rainbow Dash was Bering most of the tension, the tension filled the air as if it was a poisonous gas it was unbearable. To learn that the former home of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, being suddenly invaded by a former close friend of Rainbow Dash was heart breaking. Nopony had words for the emotions in the council room, especially for the two pegasi. Another hour passed, nopony had still said anything Rainbow Dash had stopped crying, not because she was better, but because she had ran out of tears and still stayed in her tense potion. Fluttershy on the over hoof, had an unlimited amount of tears and continued to sob out loud into Applejacks chest. Twilight had to do something. Anything. To try and make things better, even though Rainbow Dash was on the brink of rage or sanity, she had to act. Finally with extreme courage and choosing her words very carefully she spoke up. "Rainbow I'm-" Twilight paused. Wondering if her long time and close friend would look at her, to try to get some sort of response out of the Pegasus, she did not. Worried Twilight gulped and slowly continued. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash but its true, they hit Cloudsdale, I could only ima-" Twilight's voice cut off, she tried to speak but she couldn't, the situation was to tragic. She could never imaging the feelings of what Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could be going through. She tried again to finish her sentence, but her mouth wouldn't produce words. Twilight started to shake, Pinkie Pie who had noticed Twilight's sudden cut off in her speech, knew how serious the situation was. Quickly. She took a deep breath started to speak in Twilight's place. "They will hold Dashie, all of the guards and even the Wonderbolts have been sent there, they will hold those evil griffons off right. right?" Pinkie cut off, realizing what she had just said. "There just silly griffons, the pegasi will hold right?" She thought to herself. "I'm afraid not pinkie" Rarity chipped in bluntly, as if she had just scanned the pink ponies current thought. Rarity continued. "It did not look like a simple attack darling, to me it looked like a-" Rarity quivered, reminding herself that Rainbow Dash was right in the middle of there conversation. "Dare I say it looked like an-" "Invasion." Rainbow finished, Rarity's eyes widened in horror as Rainbow Dash herself would even suggest such a thing, even more so about the place she grew up in. Rainbow groaned in a tired. Hurt and depressed voice. Still scarred by the news, she looked around to see most of her friends scared but relived that she was back and able to speak about the report, without her being in a uncontrollable rage and misery state. Out of all of them, Twilight was the most relived, taking a long relaxing sigh as she knew the eyrie silence that Rainbow Dash had amplified was gone. "for now at least." She thought to herself. "Its Gilda!" Rainbow Growled. "She wants to send a strong message to all ponies that the griffons rule the sky, not us pegasi!" She paused thinking back to the report. "And that's why she attacked Clou-!" Rainbow closed her eyes as tightly as she could, her friends prayed that she would not go back to her tense angered state. To there relief she calmed down and accepted the truth of what had happened, finally whispered "she attacked Cloudsdale" Rarity who was the only one close enough to hear the whisper started to tear up. "How could they do such a barbaric thing!" She thought in anger. Rarity then rose up and slammed her own hoof on the table, which coming for Rarity was very un lady like and very surprising, she then let out a shout that nopony expected. "THOSE BEASTS! THOSE FLYING BEASTS! WE SHALL MAKE THEM PAY! MAKE THEM RUE THE DAY! THE DAY THAT! That! That..." Rarity's voice slowly lowered as she looked around, her friends filled with surprised horror and shock. Rarity who had just noticed herself, apologised for the display and sat back down. "I'm. I'm just so stressed" She moaned. "This war has had a huge impact on all of us." Her friends agreed and slowly nodded, Rarity then slowly turned towards back to Rainbow Dash. "Especially on you Rainbow Dash." She then turned towards Fluttershy who had stopped crying. "And you Fluttershy we are all hear for you." Twilight and Applejack both nodded simultaneously, Fluttershy smiled and hugged Twilight and Applejack who were both to the left and right of her. The tension from the room was slowly changing but not for long, Rainbow Dash spoke up continuing the situation in Cloudsdale, to her and her friends that was the biggest priority. Concern. Fear and loss. Thinking back on why Gilda would have chosen Cloudsdale as a target. Rainbow said. "She is also repaying me for past favours of mine." She smirked as she started to remember the time when she had abandoned Gilda for her friends at pinkie pies party. She laughed sinisterly at the thought her friend, worrying that she might snap there and then, she stopped thinking about Gilda and tried to think of something else. Twilight wore a worried concerned look remembering the past conversation, but thankfully the satanic smile was now gone, replaced with horror as Rainbow dash reminded herself about the situation in Ponyville. "How's Ponyville." Rainbow said as calmly as she could, but her friends could hear the stress in her voice. "Well how is it!" Razing her voice, demanding an answer from Twilight. "its Holding." Twilight responded as calmly as she could, reassuring Rainbow Dash that nothing was going to go wrong. "It hasn't been attacked in weeks." Applejack who had been unusually quiet remand scarred by the thought as well as Fluttershy who had been quietly weeping in Applejacks chest in the past conversation. Twilight felt sorry for Rainbow Dash, the stress of Cloudsdale had taken its toll on her she was more paranoid than Pinkie and Fluttershy and rightly so. Twilight was always horrified at knowing that there was a problem that she and her friends couldn't fix, Cloudsdale was no exception. She turned to Rainbow Dash who was still thinking about all of the lives lost at Cloudsdale and how she couldn't do anything to stop it. That one thought made her sob loudly once more, her friends watching as they saw one of there best friends break in front of them. "Ill find a way." Twilight said to Rainbow, her own tears swelling in her eyes. "We all will." The rest of her friends nodded but they had forgotten that this was a war, a war in which that there was nothing they could do until now. A royal guard with unusually large amount of armoured plating, opened the door to the council room and addressed the ponies sitting in front of him and politely bowed. The main six nodded in polite respect as the royal guard rose up and spoke. "Princess Celestia would like to see you outside immediately." The royal guard said in a royal Canterlot fashion. The main six nodded again and instantly got up and trotted towards the door where the princess was waiting for them. The rain covered the princesses face and her voice. "We found it." She sighed in relief, the rain covering the object she was holding. "We found it." Author's Note WOW This was hard. As I said I'm not that good at writing or typing (for that matter) fanfics in general, this is my first one so again please go easy. But as always comments will be much appreciated. Thank you for reading and have a good day everypony.
Awaiting For An Important Meeting"Do not ignore the past my little pony for it is the gateway to our future... The elements may now be lost to history but in the prime they were but hoof steps away to condemning Equestria to that same... Edenic fate... There is much we can learn here... Pray that you realize it..." Two weeks before the battle of Ponyville: Day 2 10:00am It was dark. Cold and wet morning in what seemed to be the war torn land of Equestria. No further reports had come from Cloudsdale ever since the griffon invasion. The last council meeting, which had spawned a dark and deathly silence, caused by the sheer panic. Anger and the descent of hopelessness. Had left a eerie mark on the council room doors, which now stood unknowingly still to the confines of the royal castle. Rainbow Dash, who was still scared by the tragic losses of her former home and friends, flew over to Canterlot by orders of the princesses. In her mind there was no doubt that the meeting would return to the subject of Cloudsdale, reigniting the fires of past conversations of what is now known throughout Equestria and especially it's military as the Cloudsdale incident. Rainbow Dash shuddered at the thought but continued to fly straight and at top neck speed towards the royal palace, were she new her friends and the princesses would be waiting for her imminent arrival. Rainbow Dash instantly swooped down, arriving straight at the golden palace doors leading directly to the princesses thrown room. She took a deep breath and stood at attention, awaiting for a warm but serious greeting from the two princesses. Unaware to the young mare however, the glistening palace doors were closed. Shut down and locked tight, as was all of the rest of the palace during wartime, for security reasons. "Strange." Rainbow Dash thought. Considering to herself silently that the doors would have been be open, if it was indeed an invitation sent to herself and possibly even her friends to see the royal sisters for an important meeting. Nevertheless Rainbow Dash sat down patiently, head high and awaited for the doors to open. She glazed at the dark tainted clouds above, reminding herself of all the memories as a filly in Cloudsdale. She gave a sad smile as she began to tear up, not noticing her friends had just arrived before she did and were right by her side. Twilight and Fluttershy who had trotted up to Rainbow Dash first, sat next to her, simultaneously hugging the Pegasus tightly but warmly, trying to assure her as much comfort as possible. Fluttershy hugged Rainbow Dash the most, knowing full well just what the mare and herself was going through. They as life long pegasi friends, had grown up in the cloud city together and therefore had both lost one of the most important places in Equestria to them... There former home... Twilight who started to notice a slight negative response from Rainbow Dash, quickly let go of the embrace and stood aback as Fluttershy followed suit. Rarity. Pinkie and Applejack stayed respectively quiet as the emotional moment played out in front of them. Then suddenly, Twilight as she had done previously in the council room spoke to Rainbow Dash first, with the same sort of worry and uncertainty as the day before. "Rainbow." Twilight said. Trying but failing automatically to make the Rainbow coloured Pegasus look or feel any better than in her current state. Twilight sighed and breathed inwards, realizing that her new objective while awaiting for the princesses prompt arrival, was to make Rainbow Dash look at her, even for a second. Rather than the clouds above reminding her and herself time and time again of the Cloudsdale incident. "Rainbow." Twilight repeated. This time trying to sound more positive and upbeat in her voice, Rainbow Dash turned as her head slowly, rotating it towards Twilight's direction. She faced the light purple mare dead center, continuously staring right into Twilight's eyes as if she was a confirmed target ready for the kill. Twilight who had once had the simile of success in getting a response from Rainbow Dash, now felt heart broken. Her smile was gone, replaced with sadness and deprivation as the eyes of what was left her best friend staggered in place. The vanish red tinted eyes of Rainbow Dash, which Twilight concluded had been from lack of sleep and stress, continued to stare sharply and patiently awaiting another response or action from Twilight. After a few seconds in deep thought, Twilight began to sob in quick but controlled bursts, as if trying to tame the emotion she felt inside of her. She then quickly pulled herself together, buying herself only a few more seconds before her emotions got the better of her. The rest of her friends sat back, not wanting to do any action that may interfere with the scene at hoof. Twilight looked down then back up, redirecting herself to Rainbow Dash, who was still looking directly at Twilight. Twilight couldn't withstand the hurtful emotions for long, her face begged and pleaded at Rainbow Dash. Praying that she would stop even for a second, to try feel better about things as she tried in one last attempt, before she lost her emotional stability. Twilight groaned out a last call to Rainbow Dash's name, in a ditch attempt to save her and herself from an emotional downfall. "Rainbow." She whimpered as her voice began to crack and break, as she then broke and began to tear up once more. She couldn't take in the emotion of seeing one of her friends she cared for the most, break in front of her any longer, it wasn't bearable. Twilight galloped towards Rarity, who was in the closest in vicinity to her, and sobbed weekly into her coat. Rarity said nothing, allowing Twilight to cry uncontrollably into her chest, as she then embraced the mare and hugged her tightly, trying to smooth the pain she felt inside of her. It had been thirty minutes and still nothing. The golden doors of the thrown room doors were still shut and locked, with no indication of movement from inside the palace. Everypony had since calmed down but had said nothing in the process, Rainbow Dash who was still the most critically unstable of the group, now just sat still, being a few feet away from the group with her eyes closed. She faced the palace doors, trying not to think about Cloudsdale incident, and instead thought of other things that would potentially cheer up the poor and hurt pony. Twilight who had stopped sobbing and regained her composure, began to ponder out loud. "The princesses have never been this late to a meeting before, I wonder if they are alright-" "Nonsense darling." Rarity chipped in. "I say that they are quite all right dear, this is the royal palace after all." Rarity finished, with her undying certainty. "But what if-" Twilight questioned, but then pondered for another moment. "They are quite all right dear, I assure you. No harm would come to them, not in the royal palace of all places." Twilight smiled towards Rarity and nodded, felling reassured that the princesses were just having a busy day, or who had much more important things to worry about than the meeting. Applejack who hadn't said a word since the day before, rolled her eyes and stood up pointing directly at Twilight. "Yall know that this is war, right." Rainbow dash squinted, not wanting to think about it as Applejack continued, raising her voice in anger. "Heck the princesses and probably even princess Celestia herself don't even have time for us, with a war on her hooves and all!" Everyone glared towards Twilight, expecting that she would be the one to retaliate first and knowing full well her connections to the princesses as that she was one herself. "That's. Not. True. AJ." Twilight responded, in a negative tone. Realising her tone of voice. She then quickly spoke again, before the wrong implication of her tone took its hold on the orange mare. "She wouldn't call a meeting, an important one nonetheless if she didn't care or have time for us, even though there is a war at hoof." Applejack looked ashamed, and stood aback as Twilight continued. "We are all her most faithful subjects, I am the princess of friendship and the element of magic. You are the element of honesty. Rarity, generosity. Fluttershy, kindness. Rainbow Dash, loyalty. And Pinkie Pie, laughter. Together and with the power of friendship, we can overcome anything, and not just us but everypony around us. In Ponyville. In Canterlot. In Manehattan. In-" Twilight stopped, reminding herself not to mention Cloudsdale, knowing the distress it would cause towards Rainbow Dash. She snapped out of the thought and quickly continued. "-In Equestria, We are all her most faithful subjects. Big or small, strong or weak. She cares for us more than we all know and even though we are at war, she will find a way to spare time for us all, no matter what." Applejack's ears lowered, as she then began to lower her head in shame. "I'm sorry Twi." She whispered. Twilight sympathizing with Applejack, as she knew how it felt to have and older brother in the war, trotted up to her and put her hoof on her shoulder. "Its ok." Twilight responded. "We all have gone through some rough times, and so have the princesses, but that doesn't mean they don't care for us AJ." Applejack smiled and nodded. Twilight then trotted up to Rainbow Dash who was still sitting silently alone, eyes closed and silently breathing. Twilight nuzzled Rainbow Dash to get her attention, Rainbow Dash, shocked at the action quickly blushed and opened her eyes as Twilight embraced her. "Everything is going to be fine Rainbow Dash." Twilight said brushing the rainbow coloured mane, as she embraced the broken mare. One last lonely tear ran down Twilight's cheeks. "Everything is going to be fine." Then as if by sheer coincidence, the golden glistening palace doors slowly opened, letting out the trapped hot air from inside the palace, as the two alicorns stepped outside escorted by several guards. One alicorn, with a bright white coat and a unique rainbow aura mane. The other alicorn, with a dark blue coat and dark sapphire blue aura mane. The main six knew exactly who they were an immediately bowed down, princess Celestia spoke first in her usual clam majestic voice. "Rise my little ponies, please come in, we have much to discus." She glazed at Rainbow Dash and gave her a royal winged saluted, as so did princess Luna. Rainbow Dash taken aback but grateful for the respect, saluted back towards the princesses as they all enter the thrown room. everypony entered as Rainbow trotted beside Celestia "Much to discus." Celestia whispered, only allowing Rainbow Dash to hear her words, as the doors behind them then shut and the talks began, the talks which would change the war forever. "The Pegasi... They have demonstrated a great deal of speed and agility in there combat... And... With there unmatched tactics. And unique strategy... They have proven to Equestria since time immemorial that they are the most militaristic of ponies... Strong. Determined. Feared. And most notably... Loyal... They are none more fierce and more brave facing towards the bitter end of there demise... No matter what faces them... The Pegasi have always been the first to protect Equestria... To take up arms in its defence... But now since Cloudsdale... I wonder if I can rely on one such pony again... To help us in our time of need... The answer... Of course I can... She is the most loyal... After all... And she will do what I command and what she commands of them to do..." Author's Note Forget what I said. THIS! Is probably the most hardest chapter, and is probably the most longest chapter I have ever typed. But to me, and I hope to you as well it was all worth it. Also if there are any errors, be assured that I will fix them as soon as they are noticed. The second chapter, will continue the meeting as I would like to explore more of what happened before the battle of Ponyville, but in is not set in stone comments and feedback may change my opinion on what I should do, but anyway for now that is the plan. But as always, I will take back any feedback given and it is always appreciated. Also feel free to comment and i'll be sure to reply to them however best I can. Thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoyed and I hope to see you all in the comment section soon. Have a good day everypony.
The Dark Line of String What is war... Well its like a game... A game of chess. In which one pony tries to out smart the other... Is it a game of intelligence. Strategy and tactics... Or just brute force. Strength and luck... But... What if... In this world of chess. There were only Two Kings and Two Queens, but neither of them moved or attacked from there tile. Instead... They just waited in a cold. Dark. Prolonged stalemate, that could have lasted years or centuries. Until one side struck first and said that she wanted the Queens... Out of the game... Battle of Ponyville: Operation Blitz Ridge Day 1: 5:30pm "HOLD THE LINE!" I yelled as the dark shadowed ponies race towards the trench. My troops who had already clicked and put there rifles in potion, stood in silence waiting for my command. They glared in disgust towards the incoming wave of attacking ponies, as if staring into a soul of a disease. "HOLD!", "HOLD!", "STEADY!" looking back an fourth as my troops took aim, fixated on the ponies in front. I squinted trying to get a visual conformation on the invading force, suddenly as if by chance, the could curtain above broke, letting out the suns glorious royal glow. My troops cheered as they knew that the pegasi had removed the curtain for us, making spotting targets on the ground much easier and more deadly. I smiled then turned my attention back at the wave of dark shadowed ponies, the suns light had finally allowed me to confirm the targets, so that I could give my troops the go ahead to fire. I recognised the dark shadowed ponies in front of me, charging towards the trench line at the speed of night. At first I couldn't comprehend the situation, then I couldn't understand it. "Why would princess Luna's troops be attacking us if were in a alli-" I looked up one last time and then froze, realizing the situation me and my troops were in and who was attacking the line. The line that leads straight to Ponyville and then straight to Canterlot. The capital... I couldn't move or speak as if a magical grip squeezed my throat. I started to shake furiously and continued to tremble in front of my troops, who looked at me confused and terrified. "No. No. No. They cant be. I mean we- the princess- no!" I took in quick heavy breaths of dust filled air as I tired to calm and compose myself. But I couldn't as my body in its current state, refused my commands and instead acted on its own accord. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "Sir we need orders!" Called a soldier who had spotted the first enemy in range of his rifle for the kill. "Commander" Called another voice, this time it was mare. I didn't respond, still frozen in my possession. The images of Nightmare Moon flashed in front of my eyes as I remembered the horrific stories of the past. "No. No. No. Stop it!" I shut my eyes, for what my eyes saw I couldn't believe not in a life time. The ponies, now with identifiable. Visible fangs and armed weapons drew closer, this time with shots of gun fire and the familiar pounding of invaluable artillery guns. My lieutenant. Panicking, shook me with all of her might, trying to get me out of my shocked state. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "Commander! Commander! Snap out of it! We need you!" I responded and reopened my eyes, continuing to just stare out in the distance as the bat ponies with familiar dark blue and purple armour, armed with visible spears and rifles came closer and closer. "Commander! Commander we need your orders NOW!" I then looked back up to the attacking force and saw the emblem of Nightmare Moon's striking eye on the bat ponies dark purple and chromed chest plates. It stared into my soul as I looked back at with the same unblinking devotion as if it were a contest. Finally I whispered. "Fire... everything..." "What." My lieutenant respond. in a concerned voice, still worried about my previous sate of shock. "FIRE EVRTHING! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!" I shouted. Screamed and yelled all in one mixture. My lieutenant who was not prepared, jumped at the combined sound of screaming. Gunfire. Cannons and mortars, which was to much for the poor mare to bear. She shook and galloped to the rotten wood wall and covered her ears as the repeating sounds of war boomed like drums. Then without hesitation. I ran to her yelling up-close. "listen!", "We must warn the princesses-I mean princess Celestia about the attack!", "Send a letter to her we shall have you covered!" The mare just curled up in a state of shock and horror realising the situation and the mission that she had to carry out. I grabbed her by the hoof and whispered to her as calmly as I could. "listen, you were they for me, I'll be there for you, me and my troops will protect you. I promise you lieutenant-" "Scootaloo." The mare finished off. "My name Scootaloo sir." I nodded and smiled as the screams of gunfire grew louder and louder. "Ok Scootaloo, I will cover you as you fly back to Canterlot, know that princess and the council must be warned about this situation." She nodded firmly and galloped back to Ponyville as I then turned back to the line and levitated my pistol firing three successive rounds, accompanied by suppression, each of them killing or wounding a bat pony in front, who fell to the ground in an instant action of movement. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. The pounding of shells lifted the bodies of ponies into the air as if they were paper. The trench line shook and screamed as if in pain. The line which had guarded Ponyville. The line which battled for Equestria. The line which battled for the princess and her followers. A line which as now as fragile and as thin as string, which could easily be cut through and broken. I then looked back to my lieutenant who had ran to Ponyville and towards Canterlot I then thought in confusion why wasn't she flying. but I had no time for thinking for as the battle raged on, I remembered why ponies called me the cold commander, a reputation that would endure for as long as I live. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. "READY!" clunk "AIM!" clank "FIRE!" BANG. Author's Note This was tough, but here is chapter 3. The story in its state will jump back to and from the future of the battle, with the main six the princess and commander Cold Throne, hopefully it will turn out good. Hope you all enjoyed, please leave a comment if you want and thank you for reading. Have a good day everypony.
